Why Open-Ear Listening

HEADPHONE HYGIENE AND OPEN-EAR HEADPHONES Open-ear headphones mean nothing blocks your ear canal, so you don’t need to worry about how to keep your headphones clean, or worry about getting an ear infection from dirty headphones. If you have ever had an ear infection from using in-ear headphones you'll know how important clean headphones and headphone hygiene is, but there is another solution AfterShokz open-ear headphones. Nothing blocking your ear canal means better ear cleanliness and a more comfortable way to enjoy music. Read on to discover how dirty your earbuds can get and how bone conduction technology, means you never have to spend time cleaning your earbuds again! ARE YOU USING DIRTY HEADPHONES? In 2018, 8.4 million people in Great Britain utilised noise-cancelling headphones, while a further 1.4 million used sport-specific headphones, and an estimated 6.7 million people used wireless headphones/earphones. The numbers grow year to year which proves we’re a nation that loves headphones. Earbuds, earphones, headphones are an essential part of our lives, they make it possible for us to listen to music, podcasts or take a call literally anywhere, and more importantly, they make public transportation and the gym *just* that bit more bearable. WHY CLEAN HEADPHONES ARE IMPORTANT TAKE YOUR EARBUDS OUT NOW AND HAVE A LOOK… Gross, right? You’re probably able to see remnants of ear wax, or if you’ve never taken the time to clean them, chances are you’re seeing a lot of earwax. Earwax in headphones doesn’t look great but it’s mostly harmless. While your ears are full of earwax, they’re also full of dead skin cells and a lot of bacteria, all of which will stick to your earplugs. The real problem with earbuds is that their wet, sticky surfaces are perfect for bacteria to multiply and grow. A recent study found that earbuds can harbour 119,186 colony-forming units of bacteria. When you wear headphones, it’s difficult for the air in your ears to circulate and the temperature in the ear rises sharply and bacteria on the surface of the headphones multiply quickly. Studies have shown that bacteria in your ears increase 11  times when you put headphones on as opposed to when they’re out. The narrow part of your ear, at the entrance to your ear canal, is the best place for bacteria and dirt to hide, causing ear inflammation and infection. In addition, the earbuds can get bacteria through contact with other objects. Think about how many surfaces your earbuds have contact with every day and how much bacteria you pick up and transfer into your ears yourself by doing this. WHAT CAUSES DIRTY HEADPHONES? There are two kinds of potential problems. 1. Sharing earbuds with others. People who like to share headphones with others are usually just helping a friend out or sharing a new music/podcast love. The action of sharing enables the exchange of staphylococcus (a type of skin bacteria) in someone's ear. We get used to our own skin bacteria and those we have close skin-to-skin contact with but if a new strain of staphylococcus gets into a wound or hair follicle, it can cause serious skin infections and other problems. 2. Wearing earbuds for sport. Earbuds absorb heat and moisture in the ears which makes them the perfect greenhouse for all bacteria to grow. If you wear headphones after swimming or while working out, you may increase the risk of ear infections, ear mites, pustules, or otitis media, an infection of the middle ear that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) and a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum. HOW TO CLEAN HEADPHONES If the headset is used frequently, it’s recommended to clean and disinfect the headset with 75% alcohol every week. When disinfecting, make sure that all waxy residue is cleaned off completely, then use a disinfecting spray or topical alcohol and wipe the earbuds with a cotton ball. After using the headset try to remember to wipe on a regular basis, particularly if you’ve sweat during use and make sure you dry them completely. Don’t forget the cords (if applicable to your headset) and store in a clean and dry environment. Keeping your headphones as yours and not lending them to others is also key to good hygiene. The more ears that your buds are put into, the more chance of infection there is. ANY OTHER OPTIONS FOR DIRTY HEADPHONES? Hygiene is a dilemma that all in-ear and semi in-ear headphones face together. If you try to find a solution within this market segment you’ll inevitably fail as the design itself assures it. Sticking something in your ear for long periods of time means your hygiene has to be perfect and you need to regularly follow an elaborate cleaning process otherwise, there is always a risk of ear infection from dirty headphones. So... you could step a little out of the traditional in-ear headphones market and be introduced to an innovative form of design that will completely change your listening experience. ENTER: OPEN-EAR HEADPHONES. Born with a mission to provide professional sport headphones that have uncompromised quality, AfterShokz headphones avoid in-ear dirt and bacteria no matter how sweaty you are. Using bone conduction technology sound is transmitted through your cheekbones to your eardrum leaving your ear canal completely open. Not only is this more hygienic it also allows you to hear your surroundings which is great for safety, especially when running or cycling, and means you can hear your teammates or chat to your friends whilst still hearing your own music. Open-ear headphones like ours assure you that your inner ear is going to remain clean and healthy. Find the right pair for you here and discover a better way to listen and look after your ears. Read more: 5 BENEFITS OF BONE CONDUCTION HEADPHONES 【TIPS】WHICH OPEN-EAR HEADPHONES SHOULD I BUY? AEROPEX VS. XTRAINERZ

Ultra-distance cyclist Chris Hall tells us about how his AfterShokz Aeropex cycling headphones helped him complete his #107 cycling challenge, cycling 107 kilometres a day for 15 weeks! "Please can you introduce yourself?" "I’m Chris Hall, an ultra-distance cyclist based in London. I started cycling properly 6 years ago. I was never a particularly sporty kid, much more interested in computer games than being outside but whilst I was at University I started cycling to lectures because it was quicker and cheaper than any other mode of transport. I was a student and didn’t really have a lot of spare cash so a bike was the most cost effective way to get around. Slowly after a few long rides I started to really grow to love the sport and eventually became hooked. For me ultra-distance challenges and races appeal as they test you both physically and mentally." "How did you come up with this cycling challenge and what was your goal?" "I do a lot of fundraising for a children’s school which looks after kids with cerebral palsy and other motor based disorders. The Pace Centre is a charity which looks after these 107 kids and their families with the goal to offer them the best education and opportunity in life. This year (2020) was the 107th edition of The Tour De France so I wanted to do something to support Pace around the Tour. My original plans were changed because of the global pandemic we are in but I’m incredibly pleased I managed to make something work. In the end I cycled the length and width of the UK." "What was this cycling challenge about?" "The rules were simple, to cycle a minimum of 107 miles every day that the 2020 edition of “The Tour De France” was on, It meant I could have rest days when the pros did as well but also meant I was cycling further than the total distance of The Tour" "Tell us the toughest part and what sustained you to finish the challenge?" "The challenge overall was incredibly tough. I intentionally made it as hard as I could! The weather conditions weren’t the best, especially in Scotland and the continual impact of riding 107 (plus) miles every day for 20 odd days meant there was a huge build up of fatigue. With about three days left to go, I knew I was physically pretty done but mentally I always knew I would finish it. The challenge was for a more than worthy cause and thinking of the children my fundraising supported was enough to keep me going." "What’s your advice to people who want to undertake a similar cycling challenge?" "Train for it, work with a coach and understand that there will be failures and issues. Be prepared for the mental battles you will have, not just the physical ones. These kinds of challenges ultimately become eating contests. You have to consume so much food to keep going - it sounds great being able to eat that much, but actually it is hard work. The more fuel on the fire, the longer it will last." "Does listening to audio on your cycling headphones help your motivation?" "Massively so. With AfterShokz headphones cycling time passes more easily. I listen to music and podcasts throughout my rides. It’s a great way to focus and keep motivated, especially on the longer sessions. I also find it a good way to distract and occupy my mind which is so important in ultra-distance cycling. I’m someone who often doubts myself so being able to keep that at bay is important to me." "Why did you choose AfterShokz cycling headphones?" "A big reason was the safety aspect, being able to hear what is going on around me whilst riding is incredibly important. Bluetooth bone conduction headphones means my ear canal is not blocked so I can still hear ambient noise. Another one is that I’m part deaf, so normal headphones never sound too great. The bone conduction technology in Aftershokz cycling earphones really does help me hear music a lot better than I have before." "You’ve been using AfterShokz Aeropex headphones for 8 hours a day - how do you like them?" "They’re a great product! A lot of the time people ask if they are comfortable to cycle with, especially when you have glasses, the headphones and the helmet straps. I have never found this an issue and in all honesty I often completely forget about them, they have a really secure fit. If they are so comfortable you can forget you are wearing headphones, that means it is a fantastic product! The BlueTooth connection is totally reliable and the sound quality excellent, they really are my most-trusted wireless earphones." "Tell us one thing you really like about Aeropex cycling headphones?" "For me the big thing with all Aftershokz products is the bone conduction technology. Like I mentioned previously, being part deaf I have often struggled with the sound quality coming to my ears. The bone conduction technology has honestly changed how I listen to music and podcasts. When I first tried them I asked my friends to suggest a bunch of songs to listen to and it really blew me away." "What would you like to see improved in the next generation of cycling earphones ?" "One thing I’d love to see improved is the battery life. It’s already incredibly good, with hours of playback, but for multi-day bike-packing trips where I may not be able to charge anything for several days it would stop me worrying so much about how much I can listen to music." "Lots of people ask how to wear bone conduction headphones cycling with a helmet, can you tell us the best way to wear them?" "I get asked this one a lot too. For me the best way I have found is first of all to put on your helmet and do up the strap. Then put your Aftershokz wireless headphones on over the strap then, finally your sunglasses. That order seems to work perfect for me and I have no issues! It's another reason they are the best headphones for cycling!" "You seem like a bike rider who enjoys a cycling challenge! What’s your next goal?" "This is literally my most hated question as everyone likes to know what’s next haha! I take most of December off from cycling with Christmas and my Birthday. I think it’s incredibly important to have a break in the winter months, to maintain winter cycling motivation and to stay motivated for the rest of the year. With the current global pandemic travel plans for 2021 may be a bit restricted, much like this year but fingers crossed I can make a few of the ideas I have in place happen!" Find out more about Aeropex cycling headphones and buy yours here

How cycling headphones make solo rides more interesting Cycling on your own, particularly on long endurance rides, can be lonely. Listening to music can make you feel more lively and motivated, a cycling-related podcast can replace the conversation with friends. You might wonder how safe you are cycling with headphones if you can’t hear the traffic around you. But fear not, with open-ear bone conduction cycling headphones you can hear ambient sound while still listening to music.   Is it safe to use cycling earphones? Many people worry that restricting one of our key senses, our hearing, makes cycling less safe. You can not hear cars coming up behind you or the audio alerts of vehicles reversing. A lot of cyclists believe cycling with headphones is a complete no-no, which is a shame as we know listening to music during exercise can boost performance. Listening to anything can distract you from the road, whether you are a bike rider or a driver listening to the radio. But with AfterShokz headphones there is nothing blocking or covering your ear canal, so you can still hear and be fully engaged with your surroundings as well as listening to your earphones. If you want to ride with headphones After-Shokz open-ear design helps to make it safer for you. How bone conduction cycling headphones work Unlike traditional earbuds or earphones that use speakers to transmit sound, AfterShokz uses patented bone conduction technology. Transducers send mini vibrations through the cheekbones and deliver sound directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrum. With nothing in or over your ears they are amazingly comfortable, even when worn for a long-time. The audio quality is fantastic, it's hard to believe until you try it! You can hear your music or podcast whilst not losing any of your situational awareness. How to wear AfterShokz cycling earphones with your helmet AfterShokz cycling headphones are designed with a secure fit that doesn't get in the way of your helmet or riding glasses. We find the best way is to put your helmet on first and do up the straps, then position your AfterShokz ear hook, followed by your glasses. AfterShokz Aeropex are our flagship sports headphones. With high quality design, water resistance, Bluetooth connection and amazing sound quality they are the best headphones for cycling. What makes a good cycling music playlist? Music when you are cycling can lift your mood, create a distraction from boredom and inspire you to push harder. The best cycling playlists are created for the type of ride you intend to do. If it's supposed to be a gentle recovery ride you are best to avoid the high-adrenaline tracks with a fast beat that encourage you to smash out the efforts! On the other hand, if you need encouragement to push yourself then music with a higher tempo, measured in beats per minute, bpm, will serve you better. For interval workouts 135-140bpm is perfect. There is more advice on choosing the correct tempo here. If you are going to wear headphones on your ride it is a great opportunity to turn-up the volume on all those guilty pleasure tracks that you are too embarrassed to play when other people can hear! The songs that motivate us the most are often cheesy old-classics that we secretly still love! Our pick of the best cycling podcasts An undeniable feature of endurance cycling is boredom. Any practitioner of sportives, road-racing or Ironman triathlon knows that training means long hours in the saddle. However motivated or enthusiastic you are it can become tedious. Steady pace training rides are mentally often the hardest, and this is where a decent podcast comes in. Listening to chat and banter of presenters takes your mind off what you are doing on your bike and provides welcome companionship. Unlike music, where the bpm can subconsciously encourage you to change your pace, talk-shows make it easier to stick to a set effort level. There are loads of cycling podcasts ranging from the serious to the funny. For racing insights and general pro cycling gossip you can't go wrong with The Cycling Podcast. Richard Moore, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe have been around pro cycle racing for decades, they have great access and know their stuff. As they have known each other for years they are able to riff off each other, which makes for a pacy, and occasionally funny, listen. Watt's Occurring with Luke Rowe and Geraint Thomas is the closest you can come to hanging out with pro riders. It's funny and irreverent but also chock full of inside knowledge and cycling experience. We eagerly anticipate each new episode! Our favourite cycling audiobooks There are a host of top-selling cycling books available on Audible so you can take your pick from training manuals to memoirs. In our experience you don't want to listen to anything that requires too much deep concentration so we'd opt for something like The World of Cycling According to G. It's engaging but fairly easy listening. On a long ride you could select endurance phenomenon Sean Conway for company, his book Big Mile Cycling will both keep you amused and offer up some valuable tips. Choosing cycling wireless headphones for audio Whatever you choose to listen to make sure you are doing it with the best wireless headphones for cycling. Check out Aeropex and Xtrainerz. Aeropex are our flagship cycling earphones, UK riders love them and for triathletes Xtrainerz are perfect for swim, run and bike activities. Find out what one athlete thinks here Make your next long-ride more interesting and enjoyable with motivational tunes, funny podcasts and your favourite AfterShokz headphones!